Luna 19

Courtesy of NASA's National Space Science Data Center

Launch Date: 1971-09-28
Launch Site/Country: Tyuratam (Baikonur Cosmodrome), U.S.S.R.
Launch Vehicle: Proton Booster Plus Upper Stage and Escape Stages
On-orbit dry mass: 5,600.00 kg. (12,320 lb.)

Description

Luna 19 was placed in an intermediate earth parking orbit and, from this orbit, was sent toward the Moon. It was placed in a lunar orbit on October 3, 1971. Luna 19 extended the systematic study of lunar gravitational fields and location of mascons (mass concentrations). It also studied the lunar radiation environment, the gamma-active lunar surface, and the solar wind. Photographic coverage via a television system was also obtained.